David Dalton
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 Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:02 am Post subject: Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival |
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The 32nd Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, held from
August 8 to 10, 2008 in Bannerman Park, St. John's, Newfoundland,
Canada, was a resounding success. Despite the light rain during
some of the sessions, people turned up to hear the mix of stellar
local performers and a few from away. I wore rain gear and stayed
dry. But usually this festival is rain free.
On Friday I caught the last set of the North Atlantic Fiddle
convention, then the gypsy jazz stylings of the Duane Andrews
Quartet, then a moving set from visitor Andy Irvine, then
a rousing trad song session from Gulliver's Spree (the core
duo of Gulliver's Spree are Tom Boland and Dave Panting ex-of
Figgy Duff and ex-of Rawlins Cross). Then there was a good
set of original songs from Ron Hynes. who closed with his
best known song, Sonny's Dream. To close out the night
there were great harmonies and instrumentals from
The Masterless Men, including some wonderful vocals from
John Curran and Chuck Lewis. Also I'm sure that Mike
Hanrahan, who I missed since he played early, was very
good as well.
Saturday afternoon I missed The Mahers Bahers and Danny
Mills and Charlotte Ann Malechewski (who is supposed to
be an up-and-coming young fiddler and Roy Johnston
but was impressed by Folk of Conception Bay North, The
Myricks, Eventide, and Folk of Bay St. George. I was
also impressed by some of the young performers at the
Neil Murray Stage.
Saturday evening I got there halfway through the songwriter's
circle, hosted by Ron Hynes and with other songwriters
Colleen Power, Lindsay Ferguson, Blair Harvey, and Amelia
Curran. Then came The Forgotten Bouzouki, featuring a
Greek-Newfoundland lead singer and also locals Dave Panting
and Pamela Morgan (ex-of Figgy Duff). Then came Irishmen
Seamus Creagh and Man Cranitch, joined by some local friends
for some tunes. Next came A Crowd of Bold Sharemen, who
are Jim Payne, Fergus O'Byrne, Gerry Strong and Daniel Payne,
for a strong mix of songs and instrumentals. Then came
Quebec band Le Vent Du Nord in a stirring, toe tapping set.
Then the night was closed out with blues from The Roger Howse
band, reggae and ska from The Idlers, and country from
The 8-Track Favourites.
Sunday afternoon I missed the first act but caught Quebec
fiddle virtuoso Pierre Schryer, joined by some local friends.
Then came Jerome Epstein but for much of his set I was
at The Neil Murray stage. Then Art Stoyles on three row
button accordion backed by some friends did a world-spanning
set of instrumentals. Then there was some bluegrass from
John Clarke and The Rosalines, who were very good. Then
came Alan Ricketts, a great young multi-instrumentalist and
singer, backed by Hugh Scott. Then came a set from the
large young celtic band The Dardanelles, named after the
shortest street in St. John's. They have their own driving
style, with hints of world beat. Finally came a set from
The Folk of Labrador, who were good, though I spent part of
their set at The Neil Murray stage I think.
Sunday evening I arrived part-way through the opening set by
Amelia Curran, who is from here but is now based in Halifax
but considering moving back. She plays heart-creaked poetic
original odes, and her latest CD is War Brides. Then came
a set from The Sons of Erin, with lead singer Ralph O'Brien,
who is also the owner of Erin's Pub where they play once a
month including this coming Hallowe'en weekend. They delivered
a mix or traditional Irish pub songs and some instrumentals.
Then came Curtis Andrews and Nuno Cristo, but I missed them
since I was over at the Homemade Jam tent listening to Andy
Irvine play unamplified to an intimate crowd. I sue hope he
comes back again and tells all his friends about the festival.
Then came some strong woman blues from The Lori Cooper band,
followed by a wonderful solo set of songs from visitor Sylvia
Tyson, followed by a stellar reunion set from Figgy Duff, who have
just released a reunion live CD and had the usual accordion work
from Frank Maher, fiddle from Kelly Russell, mandolin from Dave
Panting, vocals, whistle, keyboard and guitar from Pamela Morgan,
and some others. Next was button accordion ace Graham Wells
with his band Chain Rock (named after a rock near the mouth
of the harbour that a chain was put across to block passage
of ships) for a set of Newfoundland and Irish instrumentals.
Finlly Shanneyganock closed the festival with a rocking set
of songs and intrumentals featuring Mark Hiscock on accordion and
Chris Andrews on vocals.
In addition to the Main Stage lineup they had some
Morning Sessions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring
a variety of dancers, singers and instrumentalists.
They also had a Homemade Jam tent with hosts encouraging
audience participation. There is a children's activity
area, and also The Neil Murray Stage where young performers
show their stuff.
Usually this festival is held the first Friday+weekend
in August but this year it was held on the second, I think
to avoid conflict with The George Street Festival. So
maybe they have moved to having it the weekend after
The Regatta (which is the first Wednesday in August,
weather permitting). But for more info on the past
festival and info on the 2009 one when it becomes available,
check http://www.nlfolk.com . That site will also have
information on how to apply to play the 2009 festival.
As usual, I was blown away by the depth of local talent
plus some well-received visitors. I highly recomment this
festival to anyone local or away, but note that if you
plan to travel here for the festival that bed-and-breakfasts
fill up quickly for that week so it would be advisable to book
soon.
David
http://www.nfld.com/~dalton |
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